Deployable clearance panel system, method, and assembly for a monument within an internal cabin of an aircraft

Abstract

A monument is configured to be positioned within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The monument includes a deployable portion. The deployable portion is configured to move from a non-deployed state into a deployed state when a force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument wall assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A monument configured to be positioned within an internal cabin of a vehicle, the monument comprising:
 a deployable portion, wherein the deployable portion is configured to move from a non-deployed state into a deployed state when a force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument, the deployable portion comprising a deployable clearance panel within a monument wall assembly, the clearance panel being configured to move from the non-deployed state into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument wall assembly, the clearance panel comprising one or more bracing members that prevent the clearance panel from moving from the deployed state back to the non-deployed state, the one or more bracing members pivotally or slidably coupling the clearance panel to a fixed wall, and the one or more bracing members being configured to slide or pivot into an outwardly deployed position that prevents the clearance panel from moving from the deployed state back to the non-deployed state. 
 
     
     
       2. The monument of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance panel further comprises a first portion pivotally secured to the fixed wall, and a second portion coupled to the fixed wall by at least one release device, and wherein the at least one release device is configured to release upon exertion of the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       3. The monument of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion comprises a lower end, and the second portion comprises an upper end. 
     
     
       4. The monument of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion comprises an upper end, and the second portion comprises a lower end. 
     
     
       5. The monument of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance panel comprises an upper segment pivotally connected to a lower segment. 
     
     
       6. The monument of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance panel is a pantographic clearance panel that is configured to move from the non-deployed state to the deployed state through pantographic motion. 
     
     
       7. The monument of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance panel comprises a first portion that is configured to pivotally secure to a floor of the internal cabin, and a second portion that is configured to couple to one of the fixed wall or a ceiling of the internal cabin by at least one shear pin, and wherein the at least one shear pin is configured to break upon exertion of the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       8. The monument of  claim 1 , wherein the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is an ultimate load that is at least nine times the force of gravity. 
     
     
       9. The monument of  claim 1 , further comprising a covering over the clearance panel that conceals at least a portion of the clearance panel in the non-deployed state, wherein the covering is configured to tear proximate to an interface between the clearance panel and the fixed wall as the clearance panel moves from the non-deployed state into the deployed state. 
     
     
       10. The monument of  claim 1 , further comprising a fixture secured thereto, wherein the fixture provides a useful mass that facilitates movement into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument. 
     
     
       11. The monument of  claim 10 , wherein the fixture is secured to a fore surface or an aft surface of a clearance panel. 
     
     
       12. The monument of  claim 1 , wherein the deployable portion comprises a main body of the monument, and wherein the main body is configured to move from the non-deployed state into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument. 
     
     
       13. The monument of  claim 12 , wherein the main body is configured to be secured to a portion of the internal cabin through at least one fitting including an anchored portion that connects to the main body through a frangible portion. 
     
     
       14. The monument of  claim 12 , wherein the main body is configured to be secured to a portion of the internal cabin through at least one fitting including one or more pivot hinges. 
     
     
       15. The monument of  claim 12 , wherein the main body is configured to pivot forward when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument. 
     
     
       16. The monument of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more frangible elements located proximate to one or both of floor fittings or ceiling fittings. 
     
     
       17. The monument of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more bracing members are secured to outer lateral edges of the clearance panel. 
     
     
       18. A vehicle, comprising:
 an internal cabin; 
 a plurality of seats within the internal cabin; and 
 a monument proximate to at least one of the plurality of seats, wherein the monument includes a deployable portion, wherein the deployable portion is configured to move from a non-deployed state into a deployed state when a force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument, the deployable portion comprising a deployable clearance panel within a monument wall assembly, the clearance panel being configured to move from the non-deployed state into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument wall assembly, the clearance panel comprising one or more bracing members that prevent the clearance panel from moving from the deployed state back to the non-deployed state, the one or more bracing members pivotally or slidably coupling the clearance panel to a fixed wall, and the one or more bracing members being configured to slide or pivot into an outwardly deployed position that prevents the clearance panel from moving from the deployed state back to the non-deployed state. 
 
     
     
       19. The vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the clearance panel further comprises a first portion pivotally secured to the fixed wall, and a second portion coupled to the fixed wall by at least one shear pin, and wherein the at least one shear pin is configured to break upon exertion of the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       20. The vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the clearance panel comprises a first portion that is configured to pivotally secure to a floor of the internal cabin, and a second portion that is configured to couple to one of the fixed wall or a ceiling of the internal cabin by at least one shear pin, and wherein the at least one shear pin is configured to break upon exertion of the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       21. The vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the monument wall assembly further comprises a covering over the clearance panel that conceals the clearance panel in the non-deployed state, wherein the covering is configured to tear proximate to an interface between the clearance panel and the fixed wall as the clearance panel moves from the non-deployed state into the deployed state. 
     
     
       22. The vehicle of  claim 18 , further comprising a fixture secured thereto, wherein the fixture provides a useful mass that facilitates movement into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument. 
     
     
       23. The vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the deployable portion comprises a main body of the monument, and wherein the main body is configured to move from the non-deployed state into the deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument. 
     
     
       24. The vehicle of  claim 23 , wherein the main body is secured to a portion of the internal cabin through at least one fitting including an anchored portion that connects to the main body through a frangible portion. 
     
     
       25. The vehicle of  claim 23 , wherein the main body is secured to a portion of the internal cabin through at least one fitting including one or more pivot hinges. 
     
     
       26. The vehicle of  claim 23 , wherein the main body is configured to pivot forward when the force that meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument. 
     
     
       27. The vehicle of  claim 23 , further comprising one or more frangible elements located proximate to one or both of floor fittings or ceiling fittings. 
     
     
       28. The vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more bracing members are secured to outer lateral edges of the clearance panel. 
     
     
       29. A method of preventing a head strike with a monument within an internal cabin of a vehicle, the method comprising:
 moveably securing a deployable portion of the monument to a fixed wall or a fixed portion of the internal cabin, the deployable portion comprising a deployable clearance panel within a monument wall assembly, the clearance panel comprising one or more bracing members; 
 pivotally or slidably coupling the clearance panel to the fixed wall with the one or more bracing members; 
 coupling the deployable portion to the fixed wall or the fixed portion of the internal cabin in a non-deployed state; 
 moving the deployable portion into a forward deployed state away from a passenger seat in response to exertion of a force meeting or exceeding a predetermined threshold into the monument, wherein the moving the deployable portion operation comprises moving the clearance panel from the non-deployed state into the forward deployed state when the force that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold is exerted into the monument wall assembly; and 
 preventing the clearance panel from moving from the forward deployed state back to the non-deployed state with the one or more bracing members, wherein the preventing operation comprises sliding or pivoting the one or more bracing members into an outwardly deployed position that prevents the clearance panel from moving from the forward deployed state back to the non-deployed state. 
 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29 , wherein the deployable portion comprises a main body of the monument. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 29 , wherein the moving operation comprises moving the deployable portion into the forward deployed state into an unoccupied or unused portion of a lavatory or a galley. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 29 , wherein the pivotally or sliding operation comprises securing the one or more bracing members to outer lateral edges of the clearance panel.